Andy Reid declined to rule wide receiver Rashee Rice out for the remainder of the season when he met with the media Monday afternoon.
Rice was forced off the field after suffering a gruesome injury alongside Patrick Mahomes in the Kansas City Chiefs’ 17-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Reid explained that his fast and talented wide receiver still needs to undergo further testing, but reports indicate the Chiefs fear he tore his ACL in that collision.
The Chiefs are without Marquise Hollywood Brown (shoulder) until at least January. Add to that Travis Kelce’s inability to find the end zone, and the Chiefs are left with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson, Mecole Hardman, and Skyy Moore. In the running game, they don’t have Isiah Pacheco (fibula) or Clyde Edwards-Helaire (personal injury).
Somehow, Kansas City is 4-0. Despite this record, their offense doesn’t seem to be up to its usual explosive level. At some point, they may have to pick up the phone and call for some backups to help Mahomes run the offense.
Below are some trade candidates the Chiefs could consider, especially if Rice’s knee injury is significant enough to warrant a replacement.
Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns
December 24, 2023; Houston, Texas, United States; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) catches a touchdown pass with Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre (5) chasing him in the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Why not take a risk? One could argue that Cooper would immediately become the most skilled wide receiver to ever team up with Mahomes.
Whatever the reason, things didn’t work out between Cooper and quarterback Deshaun Watson in Cleveland. He is 30 years old and is playing the last year of his contract.
It’s unlikely the Browns will decide to sell one of their only offensive weapons right now, but everything has a price, right?
Darius Slayton, New York Giants
Slayton’s potential was always an unexplored mystery during his time with the Giants. Maybe Mahomes can unleash this potential.
Despite playing 81% of the snaps for the Giants this season, New York’s offense is still run by rookie Malik Nabers. There is no doubt that he is the future of that room.
At just 27 years old, Slayton could have a long-term role in Kansas City. He’ll also be a free agent at the end of this season, so it’s not like the Chiefs are marrying him, and it wouldn’t cost much to pluck him from the Big Apple.
Odell Beckham Jr., Miami Dolphins
June 5, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, United States; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) and head coach Mike McDaniel look on during mandatory minicamp at the Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Let’s go crazy for a second. Beckham has not yet played with the Miami Dolphins. He is reportedly preparing to start practicing soon.
Miami’s future is unknown due to Tua Tagovailoa’s health. If we’re honest, it’s hard to imagine a world in which they can compete in the AFC this season, especially with quarterbacks Skylar Thompson and Tyler “Snoop” Huntley on the team as they await Tagovailoa’s return to football.
Beckham signed a one-year contract with the Dolphins this offseason to compete for another Super Bowl. That probably won’t happen this year in Miami. But, similar to Cooper’s situation in Cleveland, he likely won’t be offered it.
But recovering from another injury? The price Beckham will have to pay wouldn’t be too high. Last season he caught 35 passes for 565 yards and three touchdowns for the Ravens. This type of productivity is exactly what the Chiefs will miss at Rice.
